The band started when Jan Paul Beahm and Georg Ruthenberg decided they should start a band after being kicked out of University High for antisocial behaviour, allegedly for using ‘mind control’ on fellow students. They named themselves “Sophistifuck & The Revlon Spam Queens,” with Beahm (then ‘Bobby Pyn,’ and later Darby Crash) on vocals, Ruthenberg (then and later called Pat Smear) on guitar, an early member called Dinky on bass, and Michelle Baer playing drums. This lineup never played live.
In April ‘77 the band featured its final bassist, Lorna Doom, with transitional member Dottie Danger on drums, later famous under her own name as Belinda Carlisle of The Go-Go’s (Carlisle never played live, due to her being sidelined by a bout of mononucleosis for an extended period, although she can be heard introducing the band on the Live At The Whiskey recording), and was soon replaced by Donna Rhia, who played three gigs and recorded their first single. Nicky Beat, of various noteworthy LA bands, then sat in for a time.
Street Dreams
Germs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I get my truths from a higher command
I've put my dreams through a tougher test and
I'm pullin' mind from outta this mess
I've got street dreams together with plans
I've got street dreams chaotic new stands
I've got street dreams ultra magic mess
I don't like the way the world's progressin'
God's on fire screamin' depressin'...yeah!
I want a future that's not in the past
I don't want your recycled trash... kill it!
[Chorus]
Mr. Bourgeois we're lookin' for you
We want our lives, we ain't got two
We're takin' the keys to the locked doors
The future is for us the past is yours
Give us feelings give us more than you've got
Give us everything, everything we want:
[Chorus]
Build me a world with nothing restrained
Give me a hand I guess I can't be blamed
If there's a drop to be bled then it's for me
Yeah! Everything / everyone for free!
[Chorus]
In Germs’ song “Street Dreams,” the lyrics speak to the desire for a future that is not bound by the limitations and expectations of society. The singer of the song refuses to conform to the demands of others and instead lives by a higher command that is not detailed in the lyrics. This person has put their dreams through a test and is working toward pulling themselves out of the mess around them. The lyrics use powerful imagery to describe the singer’s aspirations - the chaos, magic, and detestation of street dreams. The lyrics also criticize the direction of progress in the world, lamenting the oppressive and depressing nature of it all.
The chorus of the song shifts focus to a “Mr. Bourgeois,” who is being called out and urged to give the people what they want - their lives back. The singer declares that they will take the keys to the locked doors of the future and that it belongs to them, not to those who came before. They demand everything, everything that they want, without restraint or hesitation. These lyrics speak to the anarchic and anti-authoritarian themes that are present in punk rock music.
Line by Line Meaning
I won't build my life on your demands 'cause
I refuse to base my life on your expectations, since
I get my truths from a higher command
I believe in a superior authority that guides me to the truth,
I've put my dreams through a tougher test and
I subjected my dreams to rigorous examination, and
I'm pullin' mind from outta this mess
I am extracting my thoughts from this chaotic situation,
I've got street dreams together with plans
I have ambitious aspirations and concrete strategies,
I've got street dreams chaotic new stands
My street dreams may seem random and disorganized,
I've got street dreams ultra magic mess
My street dreams are a chaotic but exciting mixture of possibilities,
I've got street dreams you're gonna detest
My street dreams may be opposed by those who don't share my vision,
I don't like the way the world's progressin'
I am dissatisfied with the current state of progress in the world,
God's on fire screamin' depressin'...yeah!
I feel that even God is deeply upset by this depressing state of affairs,
I want a future that's not in the past
I aspire to a future that is different from the past,
I don't want your recycled trash... kill it!
I reject your rehashed ideas and demand something fresh and original,
[Chorus]
Refers to the chorus of the song
Mr. Bourgeois we're lookin' for you
We are searching for Mr. Bourgeois,
We want our lives, we ain't got two
We want to make the most of our only life,
We're takin' the keys to the locked doors
We are seizing control of our fate,
The future is for us the past is yours
We are the future, and the past belongs to those who came before us,
Give us feelings give us more than you've got
We demand more than just material possessions, we want emotional fulfillment,
Give us everything, everything we want:
We don't want to settle for less; we want everything we desire,
Build me a world with nothing restrained
I want a world with no restrictions or limitations,
Give me a hand I guess I can't be blamed
I want someone to help me achieve my goals, but take no responsibility for the consequences,
If there's a drop to be bled then it's for me
I am willing to pay any price to make my dreams a reality,
Yeah! Everything / everyone for free!
I want all goods and services to be free for everyone.
Writer(s): BOBBY PYN, PAT SMEAR
Contributed by Camilla E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Tyler Nall
om my god!!! I've been lookin for this song since i first heard in when I was like 12!!!! AHHHHrrgh
Taktwo2
@justfukoff88 Glad you found it!
Matt Render
loll whats he say at the end of the song there? modaharreee